Isaiah 50:4-10
4
The Lord God has given me
the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens;
he awakens my ear
to hear as those who are taught.
5
The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious;
I turned not backward.
6
I gave my back to those who strike,
and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
I hid not my face
from disgrace and spitting.
7
But the Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
8
He who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who is my adversary?
Let him come near to me.
9
Behold, the Lord God helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.
10
Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys the voice of his servant?
Let him who walks in darkness
and has no light
trust in the name of the Lord
and rely on his God.
If you have ever tried to walk in the darkness, you know that can be terribly difficult. If you are in unfamiliar surroundings, it is impossible. But, if you know the way through a room in your house, or across a well worn path in your yard, you can often do well. You simply trust in the way you know to be true.
Life is often dark and troubling. The psalmist talks of accusation, opposition, and overwhelming abuse from others. Yet, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of the truth and faithful to God’s call. In the end his instruction is clear, if you must walk in the dark, and you have no light, trust in the name of the Lord. Rely on God. The Lord is true and He will guide you.
Jesus faced the darkest of times when He went to the cross to win the forgiveness of all your sins. He faced the greatest darkness to win your freedom and eternal life. When we face troubles in life, we can expect to feel as if we are in a dark place. But, God, through His prophet, encourages us to remember Jesus. He is the light that shatters the darkness. Those who walk in His light will not be lost, but have eternal life.
Let us pray.
I thank you Lord Jesus for facing the darkest of times for me on the cross. Guide my path of faith throughout my life. Help all people who are lost in the darkness of this world to believe in you and receive your light in their lives. In your name I pray, Amen.
The Collect for Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Lord Jesus Christ, our support and defense in every need, continue and preserve Your Church is safety, govern her by Your goodness, and bless her with Your peace; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.